Kankakee Valley junior Jessica Beauchamp wants to become a chemical engineer.
Pursuing that interest, Beauchamp has participated in a STEM-focused career and technical student organization, and she thinks that experience has helped her excel in softball.
“Growing up, I wouldn’t have said I was the most outgoing person,” she said. “But through an extracurricular club — TSA, Technology Student Association — I’ve learned so much about myself and what it means to be a leader, and I’ve seen those skills transition onto the softball field as well.”
Beauchamp, who is the Indiana TSA president, has become not only a leader for the Kougars (5-2) but also one of their most impactful contributors. A two-way player, she has a team-best 2.30 ERA in 21 1/3 innings pitched, and she’s batting .571 with a 1.428 OPS and a team-high seven RBIs.
When Beauchamp isn’t pitching, she goes wherever coach Eric Maple needs her.
“I bounce these kids all over the place,” Maple said. “It’s the same thing with Jess. If she’s not starting a game, she’s at second base. She played shortstop for us last year, played some outfield for us last year.
“The resiliency to be able to come in when we need her and then also be a very productive force in our lineup, that’s tough. That’s not easy for a lot of kids.”
But Beauchamp, who threw a no-hitter against Tipton last season, isn’t like most.
“She is the definition of ‘dynamite comes in a small package,’” Maple said. “When she walks across you in uniform, she’s not a threat. But when you see that little twinkle in her eye, she’s an axe murderer. She wants to get after it no matter what we’re doing. Running, throwing, she just wants to win. It’s as simple as that.”
Kankakee Valley junior Julia Mahmet, who is hitting .600 with a 1.550 OPS, both team highs, gives credit to Beauchamp.
“Succeeding is contagious,” Mahmet said. “We like to say that hitting is contagious. When she gets a hit or does something well and lifts everybody else up, you know you or the next person is going to do well too.”
Mahmet and Beauchamp, who have been neighbors since seventh grade and teammates since eighth grade, often hang out. Mahmet said she’s constantly impressed by Beauchamp’s positivity.
“It’s how she holds herself and how she interacts with teammates,” Mahmet said. “If she’s doing bad in a game, you won’t ever know. If you walk into a game late and she’s not pitching that great, you’ll never know because her attitude is so positive, and it brings everybody else’s attitude up.”
That mindset stems from Beauchamp’s desire to be completely committed.
“I like to be all in on everything,” she said. “Everything that I do I try to do to my fullest capacity and be the best that I can be.”
Beauchamp believes positivity may be the key factor in a special season for the Kougars. She was asked what such a season would look like.
“A great season for every girl, everybody hitting to the best of their abilities and making it far in the tournament,” she said.
Noah Poser is a freelance reporter.
